Black Silk Skirt with Eight Treasures Buddhist Symbols
Place of ManufactureAsia
MediumMaterial: silk, damask, black; gold & blue thread
DimensionsOverall: 122.1 x 97.8 cm
ClassificationsDECORATIVE ART
Credit LineGift of Mrs. B. Harris
Object number1982.065.001 a
DescriptionThe skirt is made of black silk woven with a hidden design of the Eight treasures of Buddhist symbols: fish, conch shell, mystic knot, jar, wheel of low, umbrella, canopy & lotus flower. The front & back panels are decorated identically, with embroidery done in gold & blue, of flowers of the four seasons: peony, lotus, chrysanthemum, & plum. At the four corners are four auspicious symbols: gold coin, scrolls of tribute silk, rhinoceros horn (wealth & happiness in general); the lower left corner is decorated with a motif of the ju-i together with the stylized character 'wan' (meaning 10,000)-this is a ju-i sceptre & represents 10,000 wishes coming true. These four symbols are part of the eight Precious Things. Motifs of lotus, plum blossom & butterfly are found around the base of the skirt.Status
Not on view
